Pte. David Miller 195681

David Miller was born in Douro Township on December 25^th, 1971 to parents Stephen and Margaret (Methuen) Miller.  David grew up with his big Irish family on the family farm within the township for close to 30 years. He later married Sarah Coleman in Port Hope in 1906.  Their marriage register lists David as living and farming in Dummer Township at the time.

Miller was still living in Dummer when he enlisted in neighboring Peterborough with the 93^rd Battalion on February 8^th, 1916.   He was still a farmer by trade and brought 3 years of military experience, having previously served in the 14^th Field Battery.  He was living with his wife Sarah, who would also enlist in the War as a nursing sister.  Miller was on the very far end of age spectrum for enlistment, being just over 44 years old.  He stood five-feet five inches tall, and weighed 143 pounds.  He had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair.  He was a Presbyterian.

Miller trained with the 93^rd in Peterborough until the entire battalion was moved to Barriefield training camp in Kingston.  The battalion continued training there until leaving in early July for Halifax.  They boarded the S.S. Empress of Britain on July 15, 1916 and sailed for England.

Upon arriving in England, Miller and the 93^rd headed to Otterpool Camp in West Sandling.  It was there that the 93^rd was disbanded and its members folded into the 39^th Reserve Battalion, before later being drafted into other fighting battalions already at the front.   Miller remained at camp with the 39^th Battalion until the end of November, at which time he was transferred to the 37^th Battalion at the base camp in Shoreham, England. 

He transferred next to the 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion on December 18 and joined them in France on January 11^th 1917.   In France, Miller would have been predominantly engaged in building and repairing railways, roads and water services.  His war service file contains little detail for this period, though one notation indicates that early in his service with the Labour Battalion, Miller was disciplined for being late to parade and lost a day’s pay as punishment.  Miller served for close to a year in France with his battalion, before being granted two week’s leave to the U.K. on January 8^th. 

He returned to France and continued work with his battalion.  A couple of months later in late March, David was taken out of the labour pool and sent back to England to appear before a medical board to assess his health.  He was now close to 46 years old and was beginning to suffer from myalgia.  In an official medical report completed on April 24, 1918, doctors wrote of Miller:

“In France 14 ½ months. Evacuated March 1918 as a farmer. Complains of pains in both legs in damp weather, unable to carry on in route marches. Can walk for miles and do heavy work.

Exam: looks age stated- well preserved, sore tenderness calves both legs. Dead bone removed from left tibia 1895, no disability now.”

He was declared a class B.2, which meant that he was fit enough to continue labour duties overseas.  Almost immediately after this declaration, David was transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps.  This unit was responsible for cutting and preparing timber for its use in the war effort.  Perhaps it was considered that this change in duties would result in lighter service for Miller.

David transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps base at Sunningdale, Berkshire on the 2^nd of May.  In less than two weeks he was once again brought before a medical board to have his fitness assessed.  Miller was recorded as complaining of pains in his shoulders, back and legs.  The board noted that he was: of healthy appearance”, though they also stated that he looked older that the age (of 46) stated.  They found nothing physically wring with him and still considered him fit for labour duties.

David continued to serve with the Forestry Battalion throughout the spring and summer of 1918.  By October his physical condition had deteriorated somewhat and he was for the third time called in front of a medical board.  This time the board found that he was not physically able carry on in a labour role in the army, instead they ordered him sent back to Canada for garrison duty there.

 Miller was sent to the Canadian Discharge Depot to await his transport to Canada.  He lingered there close to a month before being sent to Liverpool where he boarded the S.S. Scandinavian for his journey home.  He arrived in Canada and was formally discharged from service on January 7^th, 1919 in Kingston, Ontario.

David Miller and his wife Sarah returned to their farm in Dummer Township after the war.

Sources:

Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Reel: 123

Canada. "Census of Canada, 1881." Statistics Canada Fonds, Record Group 31-C-1. LAC microfilm C-13162 to C-13286. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa. Year: 1881; Census Place: Douro, Peterborough East, Ontario; Roll: C_13240; Page: 24; Family No: 104.

Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada, 1891. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2009.  Year: 1891; Census Place: Douro, Peterborough East, Ontario; Roll: T-6363; Family No: 17.

Library and Archives Canada. "The Complete Military Service File of David Miller (195681)." Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 6176-58. Item no. 192324.